Kiwi Can programme teaches Kaitao Intermediate pupils key values

Pupils learn about respect, integrity and resilience in the Kiwi Can programme. Photo/Stephen Parker.

Maths, reading, writing and respect are all included in the curriculum at Kaitao Intermediate School this year.

The school is one of the first three in Rotorua to run the Kiwi Can programme, teaching values and life skills to primary and intermediate school pupils.

Kiwi Can leaders Cori Maroroa and Kihiroa Wihapi are at the intermediate school on Thursdays and Fridays, spending almost an hour with each class.

Maroroa said she first got involved in Kiwi Can as a primary school pupil in Auckland.

"I remember it was the big, positive lesson. You go to maths class and it was always structured and you came to Kiwi Can and from the start it was fun.

"I moved to Rotorua and the programme was starting out."

Wihapi said he enjoyed teaching the values and life skills to the children. They included integrity, resilience, positive relationships and respect.

He said the response had been positive and Kiwi Can was an important programme.

Logan Brake, 12, (top) with Phoenix Hunia, 13, and Lauralee Williams, 11 take part in Kiwi Can.

"We instil those values and life skills into the kids. The most important thing is how they apply those values in the community."

Wihapi said he was drawn to the programme because his parents were both educators.

"They've instilled the passion within me as well."

Kaitao Intermediate deputy principal Debbie Holmes said the programme supported the school's values.

"Our students respond really well to the ideas, activities and the really fun, vibrant way the programme is delivered. Students look forward to their Kiwi Can session.

"We hope to be able to deliver more of the program in 2019 and build participation across all of our local schools over time."

Pupil Logan Brake, 12, said he had learned a lot through the programme.

"I'm going to share the knowledge I've learned with others and demonstrate it throughout the school and at home."

Lauralee Williams, 11, said she liked the programme because it was less structured than traditional classes.

The programme, which is operated by the Graeme Dingle Foundation, is also run at Horohoro and Sunset Primary schools with 550 pupils across the three schools participating.